Hinged modular elevator control housing

Abstract

Modular elevator control housings having hinged faceplates that can be folded open to quickly expose the housing interior for service or modification. Each housing is generally in the form of a low profile, parallelepiped that is conveniently placed on a wall adjacent to an elevator car access position. The housing protectively encloses elevator operational controls, directional indicators, warning lights, or the like. The preferred housing comprises a chassis covered by a one-piece, folding faceplate interiorly hinged to the chassis that provides a display. The chassis comprises a subframe that secures the housing to the wall and a top and bottom cover. The subframe comprises a base bounded by integral, projecting side flanges that preferably terminate in upper lips. Extruded chassis sidewalls are secured to the subframe sides with fasteners captivated in part within captivating grooves defined in the sidewalls. Mounting grooves seat fasteners to secure the top and bottom covers to the sidewalls. In an alternative embodiment sliding grooves adjustably receive individual sliding display panels that jointly form the faceplate in cooperation with an adjacent folding panel. In the latter embodiment interior brackets secured to the subframe mount astragals that form a border between adjoining faceplate panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular control housing adapted to be mounted adjacent an elevator, said housing comprising: a generally rectangular subframe for mounting upon a supporting surface, said subframe having opposed side flanges;   a pair of generally rectangular, spaced apart, modular sidewalls adapted to be secured to said subframe side flanges;   elongated, interior captivating grooves defined in each sidewall;   fastener means slidably captivated within said captivating grooves for engaging said subframe side flanges to secure said sidewalls;   a housing top extending between said sidewalls;   a housing bottom extending between said sidewalls;   at least one generally planar faceplate secured to the housing between said sidewalls and displaceable between open and closed positions;   offset hinge means for mounting said faceplate; and,   at least one elevator control comprising a switch, display, indicator or the like accessible through or disposed upon said faceplate.   
     
     
       2. The housing as defined in claim 1 wherein said sidewalls comprise mounting grooves parallel with said captivating grooves, said mounting grooves seating fasteners for mounting said top and said bottom. 
     
     
       3. The housing as defined in claim 1 wherein said faceplate comprises a hinged panel and at least one separate slidable panel. 
     
     
       4. The housing as defined in claim 3 wherein said sidewalls comprise elongated slidable grooves, and said at least one slidable panel is captivated between said slidable grooves and extends between said sidewalls. 
     
     
       5. The housing as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing comprises at least one astragal for receiving adjoining edges of said faceplate panels. 
     
     
       6. The housing as defined in claim 5 wherein said astragal comprises: an upper channel for captivating an adjoining edge of said slidable faceplate panel; and,   a notch for receiving an adjoining edge of said hinged faceplate panel.   
     
     
       7. The housing as defined in claim 6 wherein said housing comprises an internal bracket for securing each astragal. 
     
     
       8. The housing as defined in claim 7 wherein said sidewalls comprise mounting grooves parallel with said captivating grooves, said mounting grooves seating fasteners for mounting said top and said bottom. 
     
     
       9. A control housing adapted to be mounted adjacent an elevator, said housing comprising: a generally rectangular subframe for mounting upon a supporting surface, said subframe having opposed side flanges;   a pair of generally rectangular, spaced apart, modular sidewalls adapted to be secured to said subframe;   elongated, interior captivating grooves defined in each sidewall;   fastener means slidably captivated within said captivating grooves for engaging said subframe to adjustably secure said sidewalls thereto;   a housing top extending between said sidewalls;   a housing bottom extending between said sidewalls;   a faceplate disposed upon said chassis and foldable between open and closed positions;   hinge means for mounting the faceplate; and,   lips defined on said subframe for abutting said faceplate when it is disposed in said closed position.   
     
     
       10. The housing as defined in claim 9 wherein: said faceplate comprises a hinged panel and at least one separate slidable panel;   said sidewalls comprise elongated slidable grooves parallel with said captivating grooves; and,   said at least one slidable panel is captivated between said slidable grooves and extends between said sidewalls.   
     
     
       11. The housing as defined in claim 10 wherein said housing comprises at least one astragal for receiving adjoining edges of said faceplate panels, said at least one astragal comprising: an upper channel for captivating an adjoining edge of said slidable faceplate panel; and,   an outer notch for receiving an adjoining edge of said hinged faceplate panel.   
     
     
       12. The housing as defined in claim 11 wherein said housing comprises an internal bracket for securing each astragal. 
     
     
       13. The housing as defined in claim 12 wherein said astragal has an inner channel, and said internal bracket comprises a portion that engages said astragal inner channel interiorly of said housing. 
     
     
       14. The housing as defined in claim 13 wherein said sidewalls comprise mounting grooves parallel with said captivating grooves, said mounting grooves seating fasteners for mounting said top and said bottom. 
     
     
       15. A control housing adapted to be mounted adjacent to an elevator, said housing comprising: an exteriorly accessible interior;   a subframe secured to a supporting surface adjacent the elevator, said subframe comprising a generally planar, apertured base and a pair of spaced apart side flanges;   a spaced apart, elongated sidewall secured to each of said subframe side flanges, each of sidewalls comprising elongated mounting grooves and elongated captivating grooves;   fastener means slidably captivated within said captivating grooves of said sidewalls for mounting said sidewalls to said subframe;   a top extending between said sidewall tops and secured thereto by fasteners seated within said mounting grooves;   a bottom extending between said sidewall bottoms and secured by fasteners seated within said mounting grooves;   a faceplate mounted upon said chassis and foldable between an open position exposing said interior and a closed position enclosing said interior; and,   offset hinge means for mounting said faceplate so it can fold to an open position without colliding with the housing.   
     
     
       16. The housing as defined in claim 15 wherein said faceplate comprises a separate hinged panel, at least one separate, adjoining sliding panel, and an astragal for receiving adjoining edges of the faceplate panels. 
     
     
       17. The housing as defined in claim 16 wherein said side flanges comprise lips for abutting said separate hinged panel when disposed in said closed position. 
     
     
       18. The housing as defined in claim 16 wherein: said sidewalls comprise elongated slidable grooves parallel with said captivating grooves; and,   said at least one slidable panel is captivated between said slidable grooves and extends between said sidewalls.   
     
     
       19. The housing as defined in claim 18 wherein said housing comprises: at least one astragal for receiving adjoining edges of said faceplate panels, said at least one astragal comprising an upper, outer channel for captivating an adjoining edge of said slidable faceplate panel, an outer notch for receiving an adjoining edge of said hinged faceplate panel, and an inner channel;   an internal bracket for securing each astragal, said bracket comprising a portion that engages said astragal inner channel interiorly of said housing.   
     
     
       20. The housing as defined in claim 19 wherein said bracket comprises mounting slot means for adjustably securing it between said sides.